A breathtaking haven of nature and art is all set to bloom in the heart of India's city of pearls, Hyderabad. Spanning an impressive 150 acres in Proddutur Village near the Chilukuru Balaji Temple Road in the city, it offers a mesmerizing blend of global flora, artistry, and creativity. Named Experium and owned by artist-turned-businessman R Ramdev Rao of the Green Kingdom Botanical Garden of Hyderabad, the venture is a tribute to nature's beauty and human ingenuity. At the core of this natural marvel are 35 man-made hillocks adorned with hundreds of grand old trees, each at least 300 years old. These ancient giants, sourced from across the globe, tell stories of centuries past and stand as living monuments to history. The garden's theme-based sections, meticulously designed with artistic precision, showcase the unparalleled craftsmanship of local artisans.

Rao's earlier initiative, the Unique Trees’ Nursery, is home to trees between 300 and 3,500 years old, each with a profound historical significance. As the director of Experium and managing director of Green Kingdom, Ramdev Rao has ensured that the garden features only the most distinctive species of trees and plants curated from across the world. Experium is not just a garden; it’s a celebration of nature, history, and artistry, set to captivate every visitor with its grandeur and uniqueness. The garden is expected to be opened this month. 

The process of preservation
More than 2.5 lakh ornamental plants that belong to around 2800 plant families could be seen in the botanical garden. These have been selected solely based on their beauty and ornamental quality. Foreign trees resembling regional varieties have been avoided to ensure exclusivity. Uprooting such humungous trees from their home country, transporting them to Hyderabad and planting them here was an overwhelming task requiring diligent planning and extraordinary effort.

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These fully grown trees brought from 85 countries around the world represent great cultural heritage, too. 120 out of the 150 acres have been set aside for growing trees and plants. More than Rs 150 crore has been spent purchasing many trees, transporting them, and planting them here. The botanical garden is now home to some of the rare floras like the boba tree that is native to the dry savannahs of East Africa, rainbow eucalyptus from Papua New Guinea, the tower tree from Brazil and the double coconut tree from Seychelles. Meanwhile, the boba tree, which is around 3500 years old, is the oldest one in the garden.

A cottage for Prabhas
Accommodation facilities are available inside the garden for the visitors. More than just a garden of rare flora, the Green Kingdom is also a place where artists and sculptors from all over India exhibit their artwork. Hundreds of unique and rare artwork, statues and sculptures that are moulded in clay or carved from stone and metal sheets are exhibited in the theme-based gardens here. Noted Malayali sculpturer Eldho Pachilakkadan, who oversees the art installations in coir, stone, and steel, says that the gardens have been designed according to the creative inputs of Ramdev, who is the director of the project.

Ramdev, who studied fine arts, tried his hand at business. He used to travel widely to procure materials for his business of supplying huge balloons for advertising. On one such trip to Thailand, Ramdev was impressed by a botanical garden he visited. Ramdev’s unwavering love for trees and greenery made him set aside a significant share of his income to purchase land. He also found ways to import rare varieties of plants and trees from the countries that he visited. When he learned that an import license is allowed only to those who run nurseries, he promptly started the now-famous Unique Trees nursery.

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Ramdev Rao (left). A glimpse from Experium (right). Photo: Special Arrangement/Ibin Kandavanam
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Celebrities and other notable personalities often purchase trees and plants from Ramdev’s Unique Trees Nursery. However, Ramdev has not sold his favourite trees that he had imported from foreign countries. Instead, he turned his business enterprise into a major source of income by selling other trees. The trees that were brought in huge containers were replanted in the botanical garden near the Unique Trees nursery.

Cactus, Chinese topiary, bougainvillaea and Ficus gardens that sprawl acres of land make the Green Garden a haven of scintillating greenery. Meanwhile, the statues and sculptures were created by inviting artists and sculptors from all over India to special art camps in Hyderabad. The Green Kingdom also boasts modern technological innovations like the four giant 3D printers and CNC machines at the workshop.

The Green Kingdom Botanical Garden is around 48 kilometres away from the Secunderabad railway station. The boba tree, which is around 3500 years old, is what welcomes you into this mesmerizing world of flora as soon as you enter the garden. This grand old tree, which is extremely rare, was brought to the garden three years ago. The tree was transported in huge containers by removing its leaves. However, the tree has regained health and exudes grace with thick, green foliage. A few cottages have been arranged close to the entrance area for the visitors. Besides, the construction of honeymoon cottages and wooden cottages is progressing here. Interestingly, rebel Star Prabhas has permanently booked a cottage in the garden! The screen icon has apparently requested the owner to allow him this exquisite cottage, carved entirely in stone, at any time. This cottage has cots and tables crafted in stone and other beautiful furniture pieces made of wood. Besides, an olive tree that is almost a thousand years old stands in the small courtyard inside this cottage. A stone compound wall, too, has been built around this cottage that is exclusively booked for Prabhas. These stones are sourced locally and have been incorporated into the design without altering its shape or texture.

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One hill per tree
The timeless charm of art adds an opulent allure to the garden, where you can enjoy the beauty of metal artwork, stone art and 3D printing. Each hill has been dedicated to a different variety of trees and plants. For instance, you could see multiple varieties of palm trees, including the chundappana, which is widely seen in parts of Kerala, in the part of the garden that is reserved for palm trees. The Japanese garden is a serene spot where you can enjoy the enchanting beauty of topiary plants. Meanwhile, the miracle garden is as beautiful and attractive as the legendary miracle garden in Dubai. The blooming season is the best time to visit the garden as the myriad hues of cactus, topiary garden, bougainvillaea and the art installations turn the Experium into a scintillating world where nature meets art.

The Green Kingdom botanical garden and the Experium manifest the dreams of a visionary artist and entrepreneur. This mega project is worth over Rs 1000 crore if the monetary value of the land is also considered. The garden will be opened to the public in January after the first phase of construction is over. The Experium garden at the Green Kingdom botanical garden is a spot that shouldn’t be missed in case you are visiting Hyderabad. Phone: 8988989988.

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